Former Ravens coach Brian Billick says he hasn’t called Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once, much less two times.
“I have not talked to Jerry Jones,” Billick said via Pat McManamon of Fanhouse.com. “I have not talked to anybody in Dallas.”
Billick hasn’t talked to many NFL owners about a job since he was fired in Baltimore, an interesting issue that McManamon looks at in depth to find out why.
It’s true that Billick’s credentials -- a Super Bowl win and four playoff appearances -- merit him another look. Far less distinguished coaches have received second chances. Billick’s reputation as an arrogant coach is often brought up as a reason why he doesn’t get many opportunities.
“I am arrogant; I am egotistical,” Billick said. “You know a coach who isn’t? What some people arrogance, I call convictions. What some call ego, I call passion. Within a certain context, I don’t know a coach who isn’t arrogant. You better believe you have the answer, or at least know the questions.”
Billick’s personality may be off-putting to some general managers, but we think there is another big factor that works against him. He came to Baltimore as an offensive coach known for his work with the passing game. His offenses in Baltimore ranked in the 35th percentile in yards for his nine years in Baltimore. There were also below average in points scored. Offensive should be his calling card as a head coach.
It wouldn’t be a total shock to see Billick get another shot. But it could take another turn as a successful coordinator to make it happen, and that doesn’t sound like something Billick wants to do at this stage of his life with a flourishing broadcast career. He said he doesn’t need to be a head coach again to validate his career.
“My ego has long since passed that,” he said. “I know what my credentials are.”